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Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said Saturday the institution “must do better” as it faces questions about its response to sexual assault allegations involving seven former fraternity brothers.
“What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come. My heart aches when I think of what she went through,” Kotlikoff said in a video statement to the Cornell community.
Kotlikoff said the case raises questions about sexual assault, campus party culture, alcohol and drug abuse on the Ithaca, New York, campus, as well as the investigation after the allegations were reported.
“I want to recognize that it can be difficult for an institution to say that we don’t have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers that our community deserves. I believe that we, as an administration, and we, as a community, must do better,” Kotlikoff said.
INSIDE THE EXPLOSIVE RAPE ALLEGATIONS IN CORNELL: 7 ACCUSED MEN, CONFLICT VESSELS AND A POLITICAL STORM
Kotlikoff said the case raises questions about sexual assault and party culture on campus. (Matt Burkhartt/Getty Images, file)
Kotlikoff praised an independent review by an outside law firm of Cornell’s handling of the matter and said the university supports Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to turn the criminal investigation over to New York Attorney General Letitia James.
He said Cornell would not wait until these reviews are complete before making changes to prevention and education, student supports, mental health and substance abuse resources and investigation processes.
“We will act,” Kotlikoff said.
Jane Doe alleges in a lawsuit that seven former Chi Phi fraternity brothers drugged and sexually assaulted her during an October 2024 night at the fraternity house. Doe was a 20-year-old student at Cornell at the time.
CORNELL RAPE ALLEGATIONS PROMPT NY ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES TO OPEN “ACTIVE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION”
Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, is facing new scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault allegations involving seven former fraternity brothers. (TW Farlow/Getty Images, file)
The men have denied any wrongdoing, with some saying the sexual activity was consensual and others denying they participated. No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men.
Doe filed a 101-page lawsuit last month, accusing former fraternity members of sexual assault and rape and naming Cornell and other entities.
The case came under new scrutiny after Tompkins County Prosecutor Matthew Van Houten said his office did not receive the full transcript of Doe’s November 2024 interview with Cornell University police before prosecutors initially declined to file charges.
Van Houten reopened the investigation before Hochul appointed the attorney general’s office as special prosecutor. James said Friday that his office is conducting an “active criminal investigation.”
CORNELL SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE REVIVES EXAMINATION OF LITTLE-KNOWN NEW YORK LAW ON DUI VICTIMS
Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity house, left, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul with Attorney General Letitia James, right. James has opened an active criminal investigation into allegations of sexual assault stemming from an October 2024 incident at the fraternity house. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Kotlikoff also addressed frustration with Cornell’s communication regarding its response to the allegations and said the university would make more of an effort to be transparent.
“There are real legal and privacy limits to what we can say, but we will make more of an effort to explain what we can to provide context on the actions Cornell is taking and to be more transparent,” Kotlikoff said.
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Kotlikoff said Cornell would also reexamine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus and support efforts to change New York’s sexual assault laws.
“I assure you this will not be a moment that passes,” Kotlikoff said.
Michael Dorgan of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
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